QUẢNG TRỊ – A flag-raising ceremony was held at the Hiền Lương – Bến Hải historic site in Vĩnh Linh District, the central province of Quảng Trị on Sunday to celebrate the 42nd anniversary of the Southern Liberation and National Reunification Day (April 30, 1975) and the 45th anniversary of the liberation of Quảng Tri (May 1, 1972).

The event was attended by Politburo member and Standing Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hòa Bình; member of the Party Central Committee, Director General of the Vietnam News Agency Nguyễn Đức Lợi; member of the Party Central Committee, Editor-in-Chief of the Nhân Dân (People) newspaper Thuận Hữu, along with local officials and people.

Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Nguyễn Văn Hùng reviewed the glorious history of armed forces and people in Vĩnh Linh District in particular and Quảng Trị in general during the anti-American resistance war.

At that time, nearly 70,000 Vĩnh Linh soldiers and people got engaged in production and fighting as well, making significant contributions to the April 30 victory, he said.

After 45 years of liberation, the provincial administration and people have gradually overcome difficulties to reap socio-economic accomplishments.

The annual economic growth was recorded at 7.4 per cent in 2011-15. The gross regional domestic product (GRDP) per capita reached VND36 million (US$1,576) per annum.

The local budget collection saw an annual average increase of 16.6 per cent.

The province has 31 new rural communes, making up 26.5 per cent of the total communes. The proportion of poor households was reduced by 1.94 per cent.

Industrial production, trade, and services are developing, while defense-security and social order and safety have been strengthened.

On the occasion, Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hòa Bình and the working delegation offered incense and laid wreaths in tribute to fallen soldiers at the Trường Sơn National Martyr Cemetery, Road 9 National Martyr Cemetery, and memorial monument of Quảng Trị Citadel. – VNS